Psalms 39:10

KJV

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

Remove {H5493} thy stroke {H5061} away {H5493} from me: I am consumed {H3615}{H8804)} by the blow {H8409} of thine hand {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Stop raining blows on me; the pounding of your fist is wearing me down.

Berean Standard Bible

Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.

American Standard Version

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 39:10 articulates a profoundly raw and desperate plea from the psalmist to God, expressing the overwhelming burden of suffering he perceives as a direct divine chastisement. This verse is a poignant and urgent cry for immediate relief from intense affliction, revealing a soul utterly consumed by pain, yet simultaneously acknowledging God's absolute sovereignty even over personal anguish and discipline. It encapsulates the deep human struggle to reconcile intense suffering with a benevolent God, culminating in a fervent appeal for divine mercy and intervention from the very source of his perceived affliction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 39 is a deeply personal and introspective lament, forming part of a collection of Davidic psalms (Psalms 38-41) that frequently grapple with themes of sin, suffering, and divine discipline. The psalm opens with the psalmist's resolute vow to maintain silence and guard his tongue, particularly in the presence of the wicked, to avoid speaking rashly or complaining about his affliction. His intention is to prevent his suffering from being misconstrued or used by the unrighteous as an indictment against God's justice or his own faith, as seen in [Psalms 39:1-3](/psalms/39-1-3 "Psalm 39:1-3 - David's Vow of Silence Amidst Suffering"). However, the intensity of his internal anguish and suffering becomes unbearable, causing a "fire" to burn within him, compelling him to break his silence and speak directly to God. He then meditates on the brevity and fleeting nature of human life, recognizing that all humanity is but "a breath" and "a mere phantom" ([Psalms 39:4-6](/psalms/39-4-6 "Psalm 39:4-6 - The Brevity and Vanity of Human Life")). It is against this backdrop of human fragility, the psalmist's own overwhelming distress, and his prior commitment to silence that he turns to his personal affliction, culminating in the direct and anguished appeal of verse 10, where he attributes his suffering to God's hand and pleads for its removal.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 39 is not explicitly stated, its themes resonate with periods of David's life marked by profound personal suffering, illness, or divine chastisement, such as those described in [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - David's Sin and Punishment") following his sin with Bathsheba, or the general tenor of [Psalm 38](/psalms/38 "Psalm 38 - A Psalm of David's Suffering and Confession"). In ancient Israelite thought, suffering, particularly severe illness or calamity, was often understood as a direct consequence of sin or a form of divine discipline, as articulated in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience"). While the book of Job later complicates this simplistic correlation, this perspective deeply influenced the psalmist's interpretation of his own plight. The "stroke" or "blow" would have been understood as a tangible manifestation of God's displeasure or corrective action, a common biblical motif for divine judgment or chastisement. The psalmist's plea for its removal reflects a deep-seated belief in God's power to both inflict and alleviate suffering, and the cultural expectation that a repentant or suffering individual could appeal directly to their sovereign God for mercy and restoration.

* **Key Themes:** Psalm 39, and verse 10 in particular, powerfully contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. A prominent theme is the **brevity and vanity of human life**, emphasizing human frailty and transience before an eternal God, a concept deeply explored in [Ecclesiastes 1](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes 1 - The Vanity of Life Under the Sun"). This awareness often intensifies the psalmist's sense of suffering and urgency, highlighting the limited time for earthly affliction. Another key theme is **divine sovereignty over suffering**, where the psalmist explicitly attributes his affliction to God's "hand," acknowledging God's ultimate control over all circumstances, even painful ones. This aligns with the understanding that God uses suffering for various purposes, including discipline, as seen in [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline as a Sign of Love"). The psalm also explores the **struggle between silence and speech** in the face of overwhelming pain, highlighting the human tendency to suppress lament but ultimately finding release and solace in honest communication with God. Finally, the verse encapsulates a **desperate plea for divine mercy and intervention**, demonstrating that even when suffering is perceived as divine discipline, hope for relief rests solely in God's compassionate power, echoing the cries for deliverance found throughout the book of [Lamentations 3](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3 - Jeremiah's Lament and Hope").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remove (Hebrew, _çûwr'_):** This word (H5493) is a primitive root meaning "to turn off" or "to withdraw." In this context, it is an urgent imperative, a direct command or plea to God to take away, depart, or withdraw the affliction. It signifies a desire for God to cease His active involvement in the psalmist's suffering, implying that the suffering is not merely a passive state but an active imposition that can be actively lifted.
* **Stroke (Hebrew, _negaʻ'_):** This term (H5061) refers to a "blow" or "infliction," often carrying the connotation of a divinely sent visitation or judgment. It is used, for example, in the context of a "plague" or "wound," particularly in the Mosaic law concerning leprosy, which was seen as a "stroke" from God ([Leviticus 13:2](/leviticus/13-2 "Leviticus 13:2 - Law of Leprosy and Plagues")). Here, it implies a grievous, perhaps punitive, affliction directly from God's hand, not merely a natural misfortune or accident.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** The verb (H3615) means "to end," "to cease," "to be finished," or "to perish." When used transitively, it means "to complete" or "to consume." In this verse, it vividly portrays a state of extreme physical and emotional exhaustion and depletion. The psalmist feels utterly wasted away, spent, and on the brink of extinction due to the intensity and prolonged nature of his suffering. It is a powerful expression of comprehensive and debilitating impact, suggesting a near-total destruction of his well-being.
* **Blow (Hebrew, _tigrâh'_):** This noun (H8409) is derived from a root meaning "to strive" or "to contend," and it refers to "strife" or "infliction," specifically a "blow." When combined with "thine hand" (H3027, _yâd_), it unequivocally attributes the affliction to God's active, intentional involvement. It underscores the psalmist's conviction that his pain is not random but a direct, forceful action originating from a divine source, emphasizing God's agency in his suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remove thy stroke away from me":** This is a direct, urgent, and desperate imperative plea to God. The psalmist is not merely asking for alleviation but for the complete cessation and removal of the divine "stroke" or affliction. It signifies a desire for God to withdraw the very hand that is causing his pain, implying a recognition that only God, who inflicted it, can remove it. It's a cry for immediate and total relief from a perceived divine judgment or discipline, highlighting the psalmist's belief in God's active involvement and His power to intervene.
* **"I am consumed by the blow of thine hand":** This clause provides the rationale and the depth of the psalmist's plea. The verb "consumed" powerfully conveys the extent of his suffering – he is utterly wasted, worn out, and on the verge of being destroyed by the affliction. The phrase "by the blow of thine hand" explicitly attributes the origin and intensity of his suffering directly to God. This is not an accusation, but a profound acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and active involvement in his life, even in his pain. It shows a deep theological understanding that nothing happens outside of God's ultimate control, even personal calamity, and therefore, the only hope for relief lies with God Himself.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 39:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey the psalmist's anguish and fervent plea. **Direct address** is immediately evident, as the psalmist speaks directly to God ("Remove thy stroke away from me"), creating an intimate and urgent tone that underscores the personal nature of his lament. **Metaphor** is central to the imagery, with "stroke" and "blow of thine hand" serving as powerful metaphors for severe affliction or divine chastisement. These are not literal physical blows but represent the overwhelming impact of God's disciplinary action or judgment, conveying the psalmist's perception of divine agency in his suffering. The term "consumed" is a vivid **hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and debilitating nature of the suffering, suggesting a complete wasting away rather than just discomfort or pain. The **parallelism** between "thy stroke" and "the blow of thine hand" reinforces the singular source and nature of the affliction, creating a rhythmic emphasis on God's direct agency and the psalmist's profound conviction regarding it. Finally, the verse is a profound example of **lament**, a common genre in the Psalms, characterized by direct complaint, confession of suffering, and an earnest appeal for divine intervention, often rooted in a deep, albeit struggling, faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 39:10 stands as a powerful testament to the complex relationship between human suffering and divine sovereignty. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not distant from human pain but is intimately involved, sometimes even as the direct agent of discipline or chastisement. This perspective, while challenging to modern sensibilities, invites believers to approach God with radical honesty in their suffering, acknowledging His hand even when it brings pain. It points to a theology where suffering is not always random or meaningless, but can serve a divine purpose, drawing the afflicted closer to God in desperate dependence and refining their character. The psalmist's plea for removal, despite acknowledging divine agency, demonstrates an unwavering hope in God's mercy and power to alleviate even the most severe, divinely-sent afflictions, highlighting that even in judgment, God remains the ultimate source of deliverance.

* [Job 2:10](/job/2-10 "Job 2:10 - Job's Acceptance of God's Will")
* [Lamentations 3:37-39](/lamentations/3-37-39 "Lamentations 3:37-39 - God's Sovereignty Over All Things")
* [Hebrews 12:5-6](/hebrews/12-5-6 "Hebrews 12:5-6 - Divine Discipline as a Sign of Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 39:10 offers profound guidance for believers navigating periods of intense suffering. It validates the raw honesty of lament, encouraging us to bring our deepest pain and even our perceived grievances directly to God, without pretense or fear of offending Him. The psalmist's courageous acknowledgment of God's hand in his suffering, though agonizing, can be a pathway to deeper spiritual insight, prompting us to ask not merely "Why me?" but "What is God doing through this?" or "What is He teaching me?" This verse reminds us that even when we feel "consumed" by life's "blows," our ultimate hope and source of relief lie in the very God who permits or sends the affliction. It calls us to trust in His sovereign wisdom and loving purposes, even when they are inscrutable, and to persistently cry out for His mercy, knowing He hears and has the power to remove our burdens in His perfect timing and according to His perfect will. Our suffering, when brought before God, can become a crucible for deeper faith and dependence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's radical honesty in attributing his suffering to God challenge or affirm your own approach to prayer during difficult times?**
* **In what ways might understanding suffering as potentially having a divine purpose (discipline, refinement, etc.) change your perspective on your current or past hardships?**
* **When you feel "consumed" by life's challenges, what specific actions or prayers help you turn to God for relief, as the psalmist did, rather than withdrawing or despairing?**

### FAQ
**Does God really "strike" people with suffering, or is this just an ancient way of speaking?**

Answer: The language of God's "stroke" or "blow of His hand" in Psalms 39:10 reflects a profound theological perspective common in ancient Israel, where God was understood as sovereign over all events, including natural disasters, illness, and personal calamity. This does not necessarily mean God directly causes every specific instance of suffering as a punitive act for every sin. Rather, it emphasizes His ultimate control and permission over all circumstances. Sometimes, suffering is indeed a form of divine discipline, intended to correct or refine His children ([Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline and Love")). Other times, it may be for testing faith ([Job 1:8-12](/job/1-8-12 "Job 1:8-12 - Satan Tests Job's Faith")), or to reveal God's glory ([John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Healing of the Man Born Blind")). The psalmist's language here is a profound acknowledgment of God's active involvement and sovereignty in all of life, rather than a simplistic one-to-one correlation between sin and suffering. It highlights that nothing is outside of God's ultimate purview, and therefore, relief must ultimately come from Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 39:10, with its agonizing cry under the "blow of thine hand," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist laments a personal "stroke" of divine discipline, Christ willingly bore the ultimate "blow of God's hand" – the full weight of divine wrath against sin – not for His own transgression, but for ours. On the cross, Jesus became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enduring the cosmic "stroke" of judgment that we deserved. The prophetic words of [Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant") vividly portray this: "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." Through Christ's suffering, the "stroke" that consumes us due to sin is removed. Believers no longer face God's punitive hand for their sin, for Christ has absorbed it completely. Now, any suffering we experience is not condemnation, but often a loving discipline from a Father who refines His children ([Hebrews 12:7-11](/hebrews/12-7-11 "Hebrews 12:7-11 - God's Discipline for Our Good")), or a means by which we participate in Christ's sufferings, drawing us closer to Him and preparing us for future glory ([Romans 8:17-18](/romans/8-17-18 "Romans 8:17-18 - Suffering and Glory with Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 9:34

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

Job 13:21

Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.

Psalms 38:3

[There is] no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither [is there any] rest in my bones because of my sin.

Psalms 38:4

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

Psalms 32:4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Psalms 25:16

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I [am] desolate and afflicted.

Psalms 25:17

The troubles of my heart are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses.